Prop 2 passes in Nell Holcomb School District

Voters in the Nell Holcomb School District on Tuesday approved Proposition 2, allowing for local control of the annual tax rate by eliminating the mandated Proposition C rollback.

Election results from Cape Girardeau County show 266 people voted in favor of the rollback waiver and 120 voted against.

"I appreciate the support we had today," superintendent Darryl Pannier said. "That went to show the voters of the Nell Holcomb School District believed in us and believed in the school."

Enacted in 1982, Proposition C is a 1-cent, statewide sales tax for education with a corresponding property tax reduction for school districts.

Revenue generated by Proposition C was intended to roll back, or reduce, property taxes by an amount equal to one-half the amount each school district receives via the sales tax revenue at the state level.

Over the past several years, the district has made cuts to supplies. And if the measure failed, officials said they would have looked at cutting programs and personnel.

With the passage of Proposition 2, the district's tax rate will be raised to $3.60 per $100 of assessed valuation. The current rate is $3.2581.

For the owner of a $150,000 home, the 35-cent levy increase per $100 of assessed valuation will equate to an annual increase of $99.75 in residential property taxes, according to the district.

Pannier said the change will go into effect at the start of the 2015-2016 school year.

"We are looking forward to continuing what we are doing -- providing (the) best education for the kids we possibly can," he said.

klamb@semissourian.com

388-3639

Pertinent address:

6547 State Highway 177, Cape Girardeau, Mo.